Can you suggest a fert

[nfored]

I am going shopping for ferts tomorrow, the only thing I know for sure I will be buying is Excel; since I have no CO2.

I would like to use root tabs since I can just replace them once a month, but I am below newbie level when it comes to plants. Please tell me what you would use.

Here is the information I have

128 Watt of T8 lights putting out around 11k lumens.
Tank Size 48x16x12.

The plants I have in the tank now, are healthy but don't seem to grow fast, and I have huge algae problem. I can't afford co2 yet so I will start with Excel.

 

[nfored]

You can see the tank and light setup here.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172610

Here is some *close ups* of the current plants, I will also be buying some more plants tomorrow.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2189125&postcount=14

 

[jcardona1]

have you thought about dry dosing with bulk ferts? much cheaper in the long run and its the same stuff as in those overpriced Flourish bottle, etc

 

[WyldFya]

If you can deal with very small measurements, and regular dosing, dry ferts work great. If not, the seachem flourish line is very good.

 

[nfored]

I love my fish and spend at least 2 hours a day on them. Bulk ferts sounds great, can you tell me what they are and ill google to findout where to buy them.

Thanks

 

[jcardona1]

here's everything you need to know about estimative index (EI) and dry dosing: http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/

here's how much and when to dry dose: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/water-parameters/21944-_dosing-regimes_.html

and here's where to buy them: http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizer.html

or http://aquariumfertilizer.com/Store.php.

 

[jcardona1]

you have a lot of reading to do, but basically EI dosing, as the name implies, is dosing based on estimates of what plants need. its not exact. the idea is to dose all your ferts throughout the week, and then do a big water change at the end of the week to start fresh. really makes your life easier. the majority of people out there use this method with great results

 

[nfored]

Thank you every body.

 

[nfored]

So I have been reading the above article, and it sounds 100x cheaper for dry ferts. My questions is when i looked at seachems site, they recommend doesing 7 days a weeks with like 6 of their products.

My question for anyone who uses these seachem products do you need all 6 of these products? I thought only Excel, Trace, and Flourish.

Here is there chart http://www.seachem.com/support/PlantChart.pdf

 

[jcardona1]

Actually, yes you do. Excel is a source of carbon, so i wouldnt really call it a "fertilizer". its a form of co2.

Trace and Flourish are your micro nutrients, trace minerals, etc.

The others are the macro nurients which are probably the most important, N, P, and K. nitrates, phosphates, and potassium. these are part of the dry ferts you buy. the pack also includes Plantex CSM+B, which would take care of your trace supplements